Mumbai: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai today, Wednesday, October 8, 2025, for his first official visit to India since taking office.
Governor of Maharastra, Shri Achrya Devvrat, Chief Minister Shri Devendra Phadnavis presented grand welcome to Sir Starmer.
The two-day trip is set to significantly strengthen the economic and strategic ties between the two nations, with a major focus on capitalizing on the recently signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Prime Minister Sir Starmer, who is leading the UK’s largest-ever trade delegation to India, was received in Mumbai ahead of his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 9 October.
The core of the visit will be a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Sir Starmer and Prime Minister Shri Modi on 9 October here.
The two leaders are scheduled to review the progress of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in line with the ‘Vision 2035‘ roadmap.
This 10-year plan encompasses cooperation across key pillars including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, and security.
A central theme is the implementation and opportunities arising from the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which was signed in July 2025. The UK delegation, which includes over a hundred business leaders, cultural chiefs, and university vice-chancellors, is aiming to boost bilateral trade and target a $100 billion trade volume by 2030.
The Scotch whisky industry is a major focus, with the FTA expected to cut tariffs significantly. Both Prime Ministers will attend and deliver keynote addresses at the 6th edition of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, where they will engage with industry experts, policymakers, and innovators. The event is expected to spotlight collaboration in critical technologies like AI and FinTech.
Discussions are also expected to cover deepening defense and security cooperation, including a review of the Defense Industrial Roadmap and addressing India’s concerns regarding extremist activities and the extradition of economic offenders.
The visit comes after Prime Minister Shri Modi’s trip to the UK for the formal signing of the FTA, underscoring the renewed momentum and mutual ambition to build a forward-looking and comprehensive partnership between the world’s fifth and sixth-largest economies.